What Others Are Saying

Open government proponents and citizens at large would gain under two proposals making their way through the Missouri General Assembly.

At the same time, justifiable exemptions would keep private the plans and policies developed by governmental authorities aiming to prevent and respond to terrorism incidents.

The Sunshine Law, first passed in 1973, is a constant source of irritation for some officials and agencies. Those who complain the most, unfortunately, are the ones who make such a law necessary.

The law strives to hold government accountable to the people. For 40 years, it has required notice of public meetings, guaranteed access to public records and provided a mechanism for enforcing the standards. But improvements are required.

For one, the leading bill before lawmakers by Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, would lower civil fines from a possible $1,000 - depending on whether it was shown to be a "knowing" violation - to a mandatory $100. Proponents think the certainty of a penalty and a black eye for failing to honor the law will be more effective in gaining compliance.

A second part of Sen. Schaefer's bill would improve the notice aspects of current law by requiring public meeting notices be posted 48 hours in advance, instead of 24 hours. Also, anyone could request to be notified - not just the news media, as in current law. The advent of email makes this consequential improvement a simple fix.

A third section of the law extends for five years the anti-terrorism exemptions that expired in December. The provisions keep private operational plans developed by law enforcement, first responders and public health authorities.

The House and Senate each have passed improvements to the law. We look forward to a final measure incorporating many of the good ideas embodied in the Senate version.

The Kansas City Star, Feb. 20

Missouri Gas Energy offers emphatic advice on its website for people who smell natural gas: "EVACUATE the premises or area immediately!"

Despite two news conferences (Feb. 20), city and MGE officials were not able to adequately explain why that advice was not promptly followed Tuesday night (Feb. 19) after a contractor punctured a gas line near a restaurant west of the Country Club Plaza.

The heavy smell of natural gas lingered in the air for about an hour until a large blast and fire destroyed the restaurant, killed at least one person, and injured more than a dozen people.

At this point, one thing is clear: Investigations into the incident must pinpoint exactly what caused the explosion and what actions MGE and the Kansas City Fire Department took in the roughly 70 minutes after they were notified of the leak at 4:55 p.m.

The question on many people's minds centered on why someone in authority did not order an early evacuation of the restaurant, and perhaps nearby buildings, immediately after firefighters arrived (reportedly at 5:04 p.m.) or after the first MGE person got to the scene at 5:16 p.m.

MGE's chief operating officer, Robert Hack, said the company's process is not to immediately evacuate buildings - a statement seemingly at odds with what people are told on the company's website and in mailings to customers.

According to Fire Chief Paul Berardi, firefighters did not stay on the scene very long after the MGE official arrived. In fact, they left a minute later, reportedly after being assured the situation was not dangerous.

Separate probes into the blast are under way by the Missouri Public Service Commission; the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Kansas City's fire and police departments.

Berardi pledged that a thorough investigation would yield a time line of exactly what happened.

The public will need to know the chain of events, and the investigations should be geared to help answer that question. Determining what happened will provide Kansas Citians with better information on how they should react the next time a natural gas leak occurs. That advice could save lives.

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What Others Are Saying

Open government proponents and citizens at large would gain under two proposals making their way through the Missouri General Assembly.